A New Challenge-1963 Overlander rehab project

[dufferin]

Same one I am buying for a makeover

[mistral blue]

Never thought about bringing my tent to set my chairs under....
Does it take long to set up?

[utee94]

Don,

That's the tent I bought two months before I found my Airstream-- I think I've only actually used it twice for camping!

But it makes a nice retreat for the kids to play in and have a space of their own, plus it's a good place to sit in the shade and try to keep away from the skeeters. It sets up really fast, about 10 minutes, or quicker with a helper.

And no worries, the awning story is coming. Patience is a virtue...

-Marcus

[mistral blue]

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...tml#post851931

"Is there any documentation of how to remove the long awning on my 86' 345 airstream? A complete detailed set of instructions would be lovely. Are there any things I should beware of during disassembly or things NOT to do?"

Detailed documentation is always so helpful.

"It sure would be nice if there was an easy way to remove it."

[utee94]

Hmmmmm, seems the cat might be leaping out of the bag...

I promise an update in a few days when all will be revealed.

[DEITZ645]

I am totally in the dark here and all I have are visions of the scene in RV where Robin Williams is driving the big green turd out of the RV park with the awning extended and ripping it off on a pole and the shredded remains flapping along the side of the RV for the rest of the movie.

I can't wait until Marcus reveals..."the rest of the story."

[Frank's Trailer Works]

YouTube - Funny clips from RV

[Frank's Trailer Works]

That is not what happened though. It was a little more like this one...

YouTube - another clip from RV

[Frank's Trailer Works]

there was this incident also...

YouTube - RV clip

His wife did not speak to him for the rest of the trip.

[robandzoe]

I just knew you secretly disliked that roll out A&E awning Marcus.....pole and rope all the way for vintage!!

[utee94]

Last week was officially the Annual BFN Campout, but we had so much fun out at the lake that we kept our spots for another week, through Memorial Day. And this time we did it with even more style, for Catarina has a new addition:



That's right, it's a new "vintage" awning, aka rope and pole awning. But, some may remember that a couple of years ago I made some extensive repairs to the roll-out style awning that came with the trailer. Why would I go buy a new vintage awning when I spent so much time making the other one work?

I'd love to say that the largest reason is that I wanted my trailer to be more period-correct and I felt the vintage awning helped achieve that look. But, mostly, it's because the old one blew off the trailer somewhere between Lockhart, and Corpus Christi, Texas. Not the entire awning mind you, just the roller. The arms were completely intact and in perfect order. I didn't hear or see anything, didn't notice at all, until we arrived at our campsite on the beach at Padre Island National Seashore, and I wanted some shade. If you look closely at this picture, you'll see that shade was no longer an option.


The arms are there, but, no awning. I can only hope that when it came off, it didn't cause any damage to anyone's property, or worse, injure someone. But we spent most of our trip on small two-lane country highways, with very few other vehicles, and nobody tried to catch up to us, so I can only assume it fell harmlessly to the side of the road. We went back the same way and, although I scanned for it the entire trip, I never saw any signs of it.

When the awning came off, it also took off the top of my refrigerator vent cover. The original was plastic, yellowing, and in poor shape, especially since the hail storm a year ago damaged it. You can see it in this photo:

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png[/IMG]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2UhGawxa4u...0/100_5813.jpg


This is what was left, and it was not in great shape.

But I cleaned it up, made some repairs with a screen mesh over the top, painted it silver, and then riveted on a universal aluminum replacement cover that I think actually looks much better than the original.


But I still had the problem of needing some shade. Luckily, Frank, Rob, and John had an excellent recommendation-- a vintage awning hand-made by a fabulous seamstress named Marti, who had made awnings for all of them as well. She did a fantastic job and had it to me in just over two weeks from the day I ordered it. I couldn't be happier with the quality, Marti is a true professional.

[pbearsailor]

Awning looks great, Marcus. I want one.

-steve

[Minno]

Both the new awning and vent cover look really good! Glad there was no other damage or injuries when you lost the old awning.

Chris

[DEITZ645]

Marcus,
The new awning looks great and oh so much better than the old A&E awning.

[slowmover]

Tell us about the material, please, and source.

I figured you'd go with this once the question occurred. How is it for storage?

(Lost it near Lockhart? Your nose must have been parsing woodsmoke from those BBQ houses).

.

[utee94]

Hey Rednax, good to hear from you. Hope all is well with you and yours. As I recall you were relocating, is that complete? And, have you had a chance to purchase another beautiful silver trailer?

The material is Sunbrella fabric, specifically made for awnings and canopies and the like (rather than Sunbrella's line for outdoor furniture upholstery). It's thick and strong, as far as I know Sunbrella is one of the best in the business, though I honestly don't know much about the outdoor fabric industry.

It folds up nicely into a bag that was custom-made for it, small and manegeable enough for my wife to easily stow it away.

The woman who made it is named Marti and she lives in Chico, CA. She quoted me based on the size and style (mine is 16' long by 9' deep, with a scalloped edge on all 3 sides. She also does fringe).

Here's a link to her website:

'Marti's Vintage Trailer Awnings'

-Marcus

[Dave Park]

I just read all of this and I am very impressed by the work and ideas of all three owners!

I live just up the road from you, Marcus, so if you need a hand with anything when you start "phase 3" let me know!

[utee94]

Thanks Dave, I will likely take you up on your offer! I've got tailgate parties and camping trips planned all the way through Christmas and New Year's, but after that I plan to take her offline and begin work in earnest on the front half.

-Marcus

[soldiermedic]

With many trips to TX planned over the next two years until permanently moving in 2012, I am looking forward to seeing Catarina as well.

Steve

[utee94]

I'd be delighted to show you Steve, please let me know any time you're going to be around.

I know you sold your Airstreams, but do you still have your smoker? Parting with a rig like that would be a crying shame...

-Marcus